Intravascular Deep Brain Magnetic Stimulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
External transcranial magnetic brain stimulation is limited in depth penetration, lacks targeting specificity for deep brain areas, and poses risks such as seizures and discomfort due to its non-invasive nature and unpredictable current paths within the irregularly shaped brain.
Innovation Solution
A deep brain magnetic stimulator is designed to be placed within a blood vessel, featuring an expandable device core with a stimulation coil and energy storage, controlled by circuitry to deliver targeted magnetic fields, allowing deeper brain area treatment without impeding blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external transcranial magnetic brain stimulation is used, then non-invasive treatment is achieved, but penetration depth is limited to 1-3 cm and cannot reach deep brain regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the blood vessel system as an intermediary pathway to deliver the stimulator to deep brain regions. Instead of attempting to penetrate the skull directly from the external surface, the device travels through the vascular system (an intermediate fluid pathway) to reach the target location, thereby achieving deep penetration while maintaining a minimally invasive approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach dimension from external surface traversal to internal vascular navigation. Rather than moving perpendicular to the skull surface from outside, the device travels through the three-dimensional vascular network inside the brain, accessing deep regions that are inaccessible from the external surface.
2Productivity
If external transcranial magnetic brain stimulation is applied, then treatment is provided, but current path is unpredictable due to irregular brain shape and non-uniform conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulator generates and controls its own magnetic field once positioned at the target site, eliminating the need for external field generation that must traverse unpredictable tissue pathways. The device serves itself by creating the stimulation field directly at the location of interest, ensuring precise and predictable current paths through the brain tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is navigated to the precise target location before stimulation begins, using imaging guidance and vascular navigation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the subsequent magnetic field generation occurs exactly where needed, making the current path predictable and targeted rather than diffuse and unpredictable.
3Area of stationary object
If external transcranial magnetic brain stimulation is used, then surface brain areas can be treated, but deep brain areas are completely spared
Solution Approach 1:
The blood vessel system serves as an intermediary delivery pathway, allowing the stimulator to bypass the skull and reach deep brain regions that are inaccessible to external application. The vascular system provides a direct route to the target, eliminating the depth limitation of external stimulation.
4Length of stationary object
If a device is placed within a blood vessel, then deep brain access is achieved, but blood flow impediment or clot formation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulator employs a flexible, thin-walled structure that can be inserted through the vascular system without significantly obstructing blood flow. The device's streamlined design and biocompatible materials minimize disruption to normal hemodynamics while reducing the risk of clot formation during insertion and positioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective treatment of deep brain conditions like Parkinson's, epilepsy, and depression with reduced risks by providing deeper penetration and targeted magnetic stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field is generated that in turn induces small electric currents in the brain that change the polarization of neurons
Implementation Method 2
walls having expandable folds
Data Source
AI summary
A deep brain magnetic stimulator is disclosed that is placed within a vessel of the body to provide targeted location specific application of a magnetic field within the brain. The deep brain magnetic stimulator has a stimulation coil affixed to an expandable device core where the device core has a lumen to allow the passage of blood. A source of electrical energy is provided as well as related control circuitry to govern the activation of the stimulation coil and also govern such parameters as magnetic field strength, duration, waveform, and the like.